# Shona language > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Shona_language > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Shona_language.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language > Source revision: 1356453994 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe and Mozambique This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Shona language" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Shona chiShona Native to Zimbabwe Mozambique[1] Region Southern Africa Ethnicity Shona Speakers L1: 9.6 million (2010–2023)[1] L2: 4.5 million (2023)[1] Total: 14 million (2010–2023)[1] Language family Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta-Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Southern Bantoid Bantu Shona languages (S.10) Shona Dialects Korekore Zezuru Manyika Karanga Ndau Writing system Latin script (Shona alphabet) Shona Braille Ditema tsa Dinoko Official status Official language in Zimbabwe Recognised minority language in Mozambique Language codes ISO 639-1 sn ISO 639-2 sna ISO 639-3 Variously: sna – Shona twl – Tavara mxc – Manyika twx – Tewe (Manyika) Glottolog core1255 Core Shona tawa1270 Tawara Guthrie code S.7–10[2] Linguasphere 99-AUT-a = List 99-AUT-aa (standardised Shona)+ 99-AUT-ab (chiKorekore incl. varieties -aba to -abk)+ 99-AUT-ac (chiZezuru -aca..-ack)+ 99-AUT-ad (north chiManyika -ada..-adk)+ 99-AUT-ae (central chiManyika -aea..-aeg)+ 99-AUT-af (chiKaranga -afa..-aff)+ 99-AUT-ag (chiNdau -aga..-age)+ 99-AUT-ah (chiShanga)+ 99-AUT-ai (chiKalanga)+ 99-AUT-aj (chiNambya -aja..-ajc)+ 99-AUT-ak (chiLilima -aka..-akf) This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. Person MuShona[3] People VaShona Language chiShona Country Vukaranga **Shona** ([/ˈʃoʊnə/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*SHOH-nə*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key);[4] [endonym](/source/Endonym): *chiShona* [\[tʃiʃona\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA)) is a [Bantu language](/source/Bantu_language) spoken by the [Shona people](/source/Shona_people) of [Zimbabwe](/source/Zimbabwe) and [Mozambique](/source/Mozambique). The term is variously used to collectively describe all the Central Shonic varieties (comprising Zezuru, Manyika, Korekore and Karanga or Ndau) or specifically Standard Shona, a variety codified in the mid-20th century. By the broader definition, the language is spoken by over 14 million people.[1] The larger group of historically related languages—called [Shona or Shonic languages](/source/Shona_languages) by linguists—also includes [Ndau](/source/Ndau_dialect) (Eastern Shona) and [Kalanga](/source/Kalanga_language) (Western Shona). In [Guthrie's](/source/Malcolm_Guthrie) classification of Bantu languages, zone S.10 designates the Shonic group. ## Similar languages Shona is closely related to [Ndau](/source/Ndau_dialect), [Kalanga](/source/Kalanga_language) and is related to [Tonga](/source/Tonga_language_(Zambia_and_Zimbabwe)), [Chewa](/source/Chewa_language), [Tumbuka](/source/Tumbuka_language), [Tsonga](/source/Tsonga_language) and [Venda](/source/Venda_language). Ndau and Kalanga are former dialects of Shona but became independent languages in 2013 because their grammar is very slightly less similar to those of Korekore, Zezuru and Manyika.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Instruction Teacher Ignatio Chiyaka teaching the Shona language to U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in [Zhombe](/source/Zhombe), Zimbabwe. The words on the [blackboard](/source/Blackboard) are *pfeka* ("dress self") and *hembe* ("shirt"). Shona is a written standard language with an [orthography](/source/Orthography) and [grammar](/source/Grammar) that was codified during the early 20th century and fixed in the 1950s. In the 1920s, the Rhodesian administration was faced with the challenge of preparing schoolbooks and other materials in the various languages and dialects and requested the recommendation of South African linguist [Clement Doke](/source/Clement_Doke). The language is now described through monolingual and bilingual [dictionaries](/source/Dictionary) (chiefly Shona – English). The first novel in Shona, [Solomon Mutswairo](/source/Solomon_Mutswairo)'s *Feso*, was published in 1957. Subsequently, hundreds of novels, short story collections and poetry volumes in Shona have appeared. Shona is taught in the schools, but after the first few grades it is not the general medium of instruction for subjects other than Shona grammar and literature. ## Varieties The last systematic study of varieties and sub-varieties of the Central Shona dialect continuum was that done by Clement Doke in 1930, so many sub-varieties are no longer functional and should be treated with caution. According to information from Ethnologue: - S14 **Karanga** (Chikaranga). Spoken in southern Zimbabwe, near [Masvingo](/source/Masvingo). It is also mostly spoken in the Midlands province, most notably in Gutu, Masvingo, Mberengwa and Zvishavane districts. Some people refer it as Vhitori. - Subdialects: Duma, Jena, Mhari (Mari), Ngova, Venda (not the [Venda language](/source/Venda_language)), Govera. - S12 **Zezuru** (Chizezuru, Bazezuru, Bazuzura, Mazizuru, Vazezuru, Wazezuru). Spoken in [Mashonaland](/source/Mashonaland) east and central Zimbabwe, near [Harare](/source/Harare). The standard language. Standard Shona is based on Zezuru, and this has led to the decline and possible extinction of other related languages now referred to as "Shona dialects". - Subdialects: Shawasha, Gova, Mbire, Tsunga, Kachikwakwa, Harava, Nohwe, Njanja, Nobvu, Kwazvimba (Zvimba). - S11 **Korekore** (Northern Shona, Goba, Gova, Shangwe). Spoken in northern Zimbabwe, [Mvurwi](/source/Mvurwi), [Bindura](/source/Bindura), [Mt Darwin](/source/Mount_Darwin%2C_Zimbabwe), [Guruve](/source/Guruve), [Chiweshe](/source/Chiweshe), [Centenary](/source/Centenary%2C_Zimbabwe). - Subdialects: Gova, Tande, Tavara, Nyongwe, Pfunde, Shangwe. Languages with partial intelligibility with Central Shona, of which the speakers are considered to be ethnically Shona, are the S15 [Ndau language](/source/Ndau_language), spoken in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and the S13 [Manyika language](/source/Manyika_language), spoken in eastern Zimbabwe, near Mutare specifically Chipinge. Ndau literacy material has been introduced into primary schools. Maho (2009) recognizes Korekore, Zezuru, Manyika, Karanga, and Ndau as distinct languages within the Shona cluster.[2] ## Phonology Shona allows only [open syllables](/source/Open_syllable). Consonants belong to the next syllable. For example, *mangwanani* ("morning") is syllabified as [ma.ᵑɡwa.na.ni]; *Zimbabwe* is [zi.ᵐba.ɓwe]. Shona is written with a phonemic orthography, with only slightly different pronunciation or grammatical differences according to variety. Shona has two tones, a high and a low tone, but these tones are not indicated in the standard writing system. ### Vowels Shona has a simple 5-[vowels](/source/Vowels) system: [\[a, e, i, o, u\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA).[5] This inventory is quite common cross-linguistically, with similar systems occurring in [Greek](/source/Greek_language), [Spanish](/source/Spanish_language), [Tagalog](/source/Tagalog_language), [Swahili](/source/Swahili_language) and [Japanese](/source/Japanese_language). Each vowel is pronounced [separately](/source/Hiatus_(linguistics)) even if they fall in succession. For example, *Unoenda kupi*? ("Where do you go?") is pronounced [u.no.e.ⁿda ku.pi]. ### Consonants The consonant sounds of Shona are:[6] Bilabial Labio- dental Alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal plain whistled Plosive voiceless p t k breathy b̤ d̤ ɡ̤ implosive ɓ ɗ prenasalized ᵐb ⁿd ᵑɡ Affricate voiceless p͡f t͡s t͡sᶲ t͡ʃ breathy b͡v̤ d͡z̤ d͡z̤ᵝ d͡ʒ̤ prenasalized ⁿd͡ʒ̤ Fricative voiceless f s sᶲ ʃ breathy v̤ z̤ z̤ᵝ ʒ̤ ɦ prenasalized ⁿz̤ ⁿz̤ᵝ Nasal plain m n ɲ ŋ breathy m̤ mʋ̤ n̤ Trill r Approximant ʋ j w ### Whistled sibilants This section needs attention from an expert in Languages or Africa. The specific problem is: we need a better explanation & preferably some sound files. WikiProject Languages or WikiProject Africa may be able to help recruit an expert. (August 2008) Shona and other languages of Southern and Eastern Africa include [whistling sounds](/source/Whistled_sibilant), (this should not be confused with [whistled speech](/source/Whistled_speech)). Shona's whistled sibilants are the [fricatives](/source/Fricative) "sv" and "zv" and the [affricates](/source/Affricate) "tsv" and "dzv". Sound example translation notes sv masvosvobwa "shooting stars" "sv" can be represented by [s͎], from the Extensions to the International Phonetic Alphabet masvosve "ants" tsv tsvaira "sweep" (Standard Shona) svw masvavembasvwi "schemer" (Shangwe, Korekore dialect) zv zvizvuvhutswa' "gold nuggets" (Tsunga, Zezuru dialect) dzv akadzva "he/she was unsuccessful" zvw huzvweverere "emotions" (Gova, Korekore dialect) nzv nzvenga "to dodge" (Standard Shona) zvc muzvcazi "the Milky Way" Dental clicks. Only found in Ngova, Karanga dialect. svc chisvcamba "tortoise" Whistled sibilants stirred interest among the Western public and media in 2006, due to questions about how to pronounce the name of [Morgan Tsvangirai](/source/Morgan_Tsvangirai), the leader of the [Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai](/source/Movement_for_Democratic_Change_%E2%80%93_Tsvangirai) in Zimbabwe. The [BBC Pronunciation Unit](/source/BBC_Pronunciation_Unit) recommended the pronunciation "chang-girr-ayi" [/ˈtʃæŋɡɪreɪi/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English).[7][*[page needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources)*][8] ### Special characters - ' - the apostrophe can be used after the character "n" to create a sound similar to the "-ng" from the English word "ping". An example word is *n'anga*, which is the word for a traditional healer.[9] ## Alphabet - A - *a* - [a] - B - *ba* - [ɓ] - Bh - *bha* - [b̤] - Ch (Č) - *cha* - [t͡ʃ] - D - *da* - [ɗ] - Dh (Ď) - *dha* - [d̤] - E - *e* - [e] - F - *fa* - [f] - G - *ga* - [ɡ̤] - H - *ha* - [ɦ] - I - *i* - [i] - J - *ja* - [d͡ʒ̤] - K - *ka* - [k] - M - *ma* - [m] - N - *na* - [n] - Nh (Ň) - *nha* - [n̤] - O - *o* - [o] - P - *pa* - [p] - R - *ra* - [r] - S - *sa* - [s] - Sh (Š) - *sha* - [ʃ] - T - *ta* - [t] - U - *u* - [u] - V - *va* - [ʋ] - Vh - *vha* - [v̤] - W - *wa* - [w] - Y - *ya* - [j] - Z - *za* - [z̤] - Zh (Ž) - *zha* - [ʒ̤][10] The letters "L", "Q", and "X" are not used in Shona and are used only in loanwords. ### Digraphs Shona version of the *[Book of Mormon](/source/Book_of_Mormon)* - bv - [b͡v̤] - dz - [d͡z̤] - dzv - [d͡z̤ᵝ] - dy - [d̤ʲg] - mb - [ᵐb] - mbw - [ᵐbʷ] - mh - [m̤] - mv - [mʋ̤] - nd - [ⁿd] - ng - [ŋ] - nj - [ⁿd͡ʒ̤] - ny - [ɲ] - nz - [ⁿz̤] - nzv - [ⁿz̤ᵝ] - pf - [p͡f] - sv - [sᶲ] - sw - [skʷ] - ts - [t͡s] - tsv - [t͡sᶲ] - ty - [tʲk] - zv - [z̤ᵝ] ### Old alphabet From 1931 to 1955, Unified Shona was written with an alphabet developed by linguist [Clement Martyn Doke](/source/Clement_Martyn_Doke). This included these letters: - [ɓ](/source/%C6%81) (b with hook), - [ɗ](/source/%C6%8A) (d with hook), - [ŋ](/source/%C5%8A) (n with leg), - [ȿ](/source/%E2%B1%BE) (s with swash tail), - [ʋ](/source/%C6%B2) (v with hook), - [ɀ](/source/%E2%B1%BF) (z with swash tail). In 1955, these were replaced by letters or digraphs from the basic Latin alphabet. For example, today ⟨sv⟩ is used for ⟨ȿ⟩ and ⟨zv⟩ is used for ⟨ɀ⟩. ## Grammar **Noun classes (*mupanda*)** Shona nouns are grouped by noun class (*mupanda*) based on: 1. Meanings (*Zvaanoreva*) e.g. words found in class 1 and 2 describe a person: *munhu* ("person") is in *mupanda* 1 and *musikana* ("girl") is in *mupanda* 2. 1. Prefix (*Chivakashure*) e.g. words in class 1 have prefix *mu*-, class 8 *zvi*-, class 10 *dzi*-, class 11 *ru*-, etc. Empty prefix units refer to words that do not require a prefix 1. Singular and plural forms (*Uwandu neushoma*) e.g. words found in class 8 are plurals of class 7: *zvikoro* ("schools") in class 8 is the plural form of *chikoro* ("school") in class 7. 1. Agreement (*Sungawirirano*) e.g. words in class 5 have accordance of the marker -*ri*- with pronouns and modifiers: *garwe* *iri* ("this crocodile"), *dombo* *iri* ("this stone"), *gudo* *iri* ("this baboon"); *iri* means 'this'. Noun class Muenzaniso weIzwi ("word example") Word construction Prefix+body=word English translation Prefix Body 1 mu mukomana mu- -komana "boy" 1a – baba -baba "father" 2 va vakomana va- -komana "boys" 2a va vasahwira va- -sahwira "best friend" 2a vana vanatezvara vana- -tezvara "father-in-law" 2b a atete a- -tete "aunt" 3 mu muti mu- -ti "tree" 4 mi miti mi- -ti "trees" 5 ri rize ri- -ze "scorpion" 6 ma marize ma- -ze "scorpions" 7 chi chingwa chi- -ngwa "bread" 8 zvi zvingwa zvi- -ngwa "bread" 9 i imba i- -mba "house" 10 dzi dzimba dzi- -mba "houses" 11 ru rwizi ru- -izi "river" 12 ka kambwa ka- -mbwa "that little dog" 13 tu tumbwa tu- -mbwa "those little dogs" 14 u upfu u- -pfu "mealie meal" 15 ku kuenda ku- -enda "going" 16 pa pamba pa- -mba "home" 17 ku kumusha ku- -musha "rural home" 17a – zasi -zasi "below" 18 mu mumunda mu- -munda "in the farm" 19 svi svimbudzi svi- -mbudzi "goat" 21 zi zigomana zi- -gomana "big boy" ## Sample text in Shona *Vanhu vese vanoberekwa vakasununguka uyewo vakaenzana pahunhu nekodzero dzavo. Vanhu vese vanechipo chokufunga nekuziva chakaipa nechakanaka saka vanofanira kubatana nomweya wohusahwira.* **Translation** All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. *(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)* ## See also - [Shona calendar](/source/Shona_calendar) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-e28_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-e28_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-e28_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-e28_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-e28_1-4) [Shona language](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/sna) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (28th ed., 2025) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Guthrie_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Guthrie_2-1) Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. [New Updated Guthrie List Online](https://web.archive.org/web/20180203191542/http://goto.glocalnet.net/mahopapers/nuglonline.pdf) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Haberland, Eike (3 May 1974). [*Perspectives Des Études Africaines Contemporaines: Rapport Final D'un Symposium International*](https://books.google.com/books?id=t3ocAAAAMAAJ&q=mushona++). Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9783794052257](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783794052257) – via Google Books. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Laurie Bauer, 2007, *The Linguistics Student's Handbook*, Edinburgh 1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFortune19858_5-0)** [Fortune (1985)](#CITEREFFortune1985), p. 8. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFortune19856–8_6-0)** [Fortune (1985)](#CITEREFFortune1985), pp. 6–8. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Ryan K. Shorsed. ["Just put your lips together and blow? The whistled fricatives of Southern Bantu"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110629163343/http://linguistics.berkeley.edu/phonlab/annual_report/documents/2006/whistleISSP.pdf) (PDF). University of California. Archived from [the original](http://linguistics.berkeley.edu/phonlab/annual_report/documents/2006/whistleISSP.pdf) (PDF) on 29 June 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Clement M. Doke (1932). "Report on the unification of Shona dialects". *Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies, University of London*. **6** (4). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR): 1097–1099. [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [606944](https://www.jstor.org/stable/606944). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Ndambakuwa, Victor. ["Shona word n'anga in the Shona Dictionary"](https://vashona.com/en/dictionary/sn/n%60anga). *VaShona Project*. Retrieved 30 November 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Dzidzai Shona pa Kombiyuta - The Shona Alphabet"](https://www.africa.upenn.edu/afl/materials/shona/shonanew/sh-alpha.html). *African Studies Center - African Languages at Penn*. Retrieved 10 December 2020. ## Bibliography - Biehler, E. (1950) *A Shona dictionary with an outline Shona grammar* (revised edition). The Jesuit Fathers. - Brauner, Sigmund (1995) *A grammatical sketch of Shona : including historical notes*. Köln: Rüdiger Koppe. - [Carter, Hazel](/source/Carter%2C_Hazel) (1986) *Kuverenga Chishóna: an introductory Shona reader with grammatical sketch* (2nd edition). London: [SOAS](/source/SOAS). - [Doke, Clement M.](/source/Clement_Doke) (1931) *Report on the unification of the Shona dialects*. Stephen Austin Sons. - Fortune, George (1985), [*Shona Grammatical Constructions*](https://edd.uio.no/allex/ibooks/fortune/fortune_shona_gram_constr_vol1.pdf) (PDF), vol. 1, Mercury Press - Mutasa, David (1996) *The problems of standardizing spoken dialects: the Shona experience*, *Language Matters*, 27, 79 - Lafon, Michel (1995), *Le shona et les shonas du Zimbabwe*, Harmattan éd., Paris (in French) - D. Dale: - *Basic English – Shona dictionary*, Afro Asiatic Languages Edition, Sept 5, 2000, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0869220146](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0869220146) - *Duramazwi: A Shona - English Dictionary*, Afro Asiatic Languages Edition, Sept 5, 2000, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0869220146](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0869220146) ## External links ***[Shona edition](https://sn.wikipedia.org/wiki/)*** of [Wikipedia](/source/Wikipedia), the free encyclopedia - ["The History of the Shona People"](http://www.bulawayo1872.com/history/shona.htm). - [Pan African Localization](http://www.bisharat.net/wikidoc/pmwiki.php/PanAfrLoc/Shona) report on Shona - [Example of Shona](http://www.lyrikline.org/index.php?id=60&L=1&author=cc00&cHash=efa2be756d), [Lyrikline.org](/source/Lyrikline.org) page on poet [Chirikure Chirikure](/source/Chirikure_Chirikure), with audio and translations into English. - [Basic Shona language course (book + audio files)](https://web.archive.org/web/20150831071656/http://fsi-dli.yojik.eu/FSI/FSI%20Shona%20Basic%20Course/) USA Foreign Service Institute (FSI) - [Biblical study material in Shona language](https://www.jw.org/sn/) (publications, video and audio files, [online bible](https://www.jw.org/sn/Raibhurari/bhaibheri/nwt/mabhuku/)) by [Jehovah's Witnesses](/source/Jehovah's_Witnesses) - [Shona Dictionary](http://vashona.com/dictionary/) Shona Dictionary - [Mipanda Yemazita](https://www.dokpro.uio.no/allex/gsd/fm/10-mazita.htm) Table of Noun Classes v t e Languages of Zimbabwe Official languages Zimbabwean English Chewa Chibarwe Kalanga Koisan Nambya Ndau Ndebele Shona Sotho Tonga Tsonga Tswana Venda Xhosa Zimbabwe Sign Unofficial languages Kunda Tswa Lozi Immigrant languages French Punjabi Hindi Chinese Portuguese v t e Languages of Mozambique Official language Portuguese Indigenous languages Barwe Chewa Chichopi Chitonga Chuwabu Dema Gitonga Kimwani Koti Kunda Lomwe Maindo Makhuwa Makonde Makwe Manyika Nathembo Ndau Ngoni Nsenga Nyungwe Phimbi Ronga Sena Shona Swahili Swati Tawara Tewe Tsonga Tswa Yao Immigrant languages English Punjabi Hindi Sign languages Mozambican Sign Language v t e Languages of Zambia Official language English Regional languages Bemba Kaonde Lozi Lunda Luvale Nyanja Tonga Tumbuka Indigenous languages Bwile Chokwe Ila Kuhane Kunda Kwangwa Lala-Bisa Lamba Lenje Luyana Mambwe-Lungu Mbamba Bay Mbowe Mbukushu Mbunda Mwanga Nkangala Nkoya Nsenga Shanjo Shona Soli Tabwa Wanda Yao Sign languages Zambian Sign Language v t e Narrow Bantu languages (Zones N–S) (by Guthrie classification) Zone N N10 N11 Manda N12 Ngoni N13 Matengo N14 Mpoto N15 Tonga [N101 Ndendeule N102 Nindi N121 Ngoni of Malawi N20 N21 Tumbuka [N201 Mwera of Mbamba Bay N30 N31a Nyanja N31b Cewa N31c Manganja N40 N41 Nsenga N42 Kunda N43 Nyungwe N44 Sena N45[44] Rue N46[44] Podzo [N441 Sena-Malawi Zone P P10 P11 Ndengereko P12 Ruihi P13 Matumbi P14 Ngindo P15 Mbunga P20 P21 Yao P22 Mwera P23 Makonde P24 Ndonde P25 Mabiha P30 P31 Makua P32 Lomwe P33 Ngulu P34 Cuabo [P311 Koti P312 Sakati P331 Lomwe of Malawi P341 Moniga Zone R R10 R11 Umbundu R12 Ndombe R13 Nyaneka R14 Khumbi [R101 Kuvale R102 Kwisi R103 Mbali R20 R21 Kwanyama R22 Ndonga R23 Kwambi R24 Ngandyera [R211 Kafima R212 Evale R213 Mbandja R214 Mbalanhu R215 Ndongwena R216 Kwankwa R217 Dombondola R218 Esinga R241 Kwaluudhi R242 Kolonkadhi-Eunda R30 R31 Herero [R311 North-West Herero R312 Botswana Herero R40 R41 Yei Zone S S10 S11 Korekore S12 Zezuru S13a Manyika S13b Tebe S14 Karanga S15 Ndau S16 Kalanga S20 S21 Venda S30 S31a Tswana S31b Kgatla S31c Ngwatu S31d[311] Khalaxadi S32a Pedi S32b Lobedu S33 Sotho [S301 Phalaborwa S302 Kutswe S303 Pai S304 Pulana S40 S41 Xhosa S42 Zulu S43 Swati S44 (Northern) Ndebele [S401 Old Mfengu S402 Bhaca S403 Hlubi S404 Phuthi S405 Nhlangwini S406 Lala S407 South Ndebele S408 Sumayela Ndebele S50 S51 Tswa S52[53] Gwamba S53 Tsonga S54 Ronga [S511 Hlengwe S60 S61 Copi S62 Tonga [S611 Lenge Italics indicate extinct languages. Languages between parentheses are varieties of the language on their left. The Guthrie classification is geographic and its groupings do not imply a relationship between the languages within them. Narrow Bantu languages by Guthrie classification zone templates Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones A–B) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones C–D) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones E–H) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones J–M) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones N–S) Authority control databases International GND National United States France BnF data Japan Czech Republic Israel Other IdRef Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Shona language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.